Developing the Future of Flight (Aerospace Engineering)

Developing the Future of Flight Aerospace engineering is the field of engineering dealing with the design, development, construction, testing, and operation of vehicles operating in the Earth’s atmosphere or in outer space (Stanzione). Aerospace engineers can work on many different vehicles from aircraft to deep diving vessels to high speed trains. The vast knowledge in aerodynamics, propulsion systems, structural design, materials, avionics, and stability allows them to work on just about anything. To become an aerospace engineer one must complete a bachelor’s degree program, usually in aerospace or aeronautical engineering.Then college graduates must take two examinations and accumulate four years of work experience in order to become a licensed professional engineer (PE). Graduates earn the title of engineer in training (EIT) after completing the first exam, which can be taken any time after schooling is complete. EITs may then begin on-the-job training to further th eir experience and understanding of aeronautical engineering. Once EITs have completed the required experience, the next step would be taking the second exam to become a professional aerospace engineer (education-portal. om). According to engineeringdegrees101. com, the median salary for aerospace engineers in 2011 is $92,000. When one first enters the world of aerospace engineering, one will start out as an aerospace engineer I. This is called the entry level. The average salary for an entry level engineer is $62,213 per year. After one has worked in this field for two to four years, an aerospace engineer II will be the next step up. Anyone at this stage is now considered an intermediate level engineer and will take home an average salary of $84,537 per year.Soon after this promotion comes the next promotion, and aerospace engineer III. At this point people at this level now earn $91,945 per year. After working in this career for five to eight years one will move up to an aerospace engineer IV where the yearly salary is $98,630. Three years later and the final promotion comes, an aerospace engineer V. At this level the annual take home pay is $119,993 in one year (1. salary. com). As an aerospace engineer I-V, one will design and supervise the construction of aircrafts and the parts that make these monsters.These engineers will be given the task to analyze results of stress tests on various aircraft and missile parts and conduct research to determine flight characteristics. As a level one engineer, one will rely on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job, and can plan on working under immediate supervision. Level two engineers will rely on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals, and perform a variety of tasks while working under general supervision.As a level three engineer, one will rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals while performing a variety of complicated tasks. As a l evel four and five, engineers will rely on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals and perform a variety of tasks, and now get to lead and direct the work of others as a reward for all the hard work put in through out the years (1. salary. com). Sciencebuddies. org says that most aerospace engineers work in office buildings, laboratories, or plants, but not all work indoors.Some may work outdoors at construction or test sites monitoring or directing operations. Other engineers spend countless hours away from home traveling from worksite to worksite all around the world overseeing the production of things or having to fix problems. Many engineers work forty hour weeks, but sometimes deadlines on a project will force them to work longer hours in order to get the project done on time. When students are in college, or fresh out of college, and do not have a job or any extra money, one solution would be doing an internship.Internships will often offer several thous and dollars to be used for education related expenses, or just to spend however the intern wishes. Students that are planning to go into aerospace engineering can do internships with related companies such as NASA, Boeing, and Lockheed. Such companies would love to have a young adult come in and start learning the way things are done, knowing that some of the best workers are going to be leaving and are in need of people to take these veterans’ place.Perhaps the greatest benefit of the aerospace industry for professionals is in terms of annual salary. Aerospace engineers, for example, make $92,000 annually on average. This salary is the base salary for engineers, with many companies providing profit sharing and other plans that bring the annual salary up. Another important benefit for aerospace professionals of all types is the basic health, dental, and vision benefits. Most major aerospace companies provide extensive health and medical benefits, which are investments on the company’s part toward a healthier and more productive workforce.Dental and vision benefits are nice perks for aerospace professionals and those with families can usually include children and spouses on their plans. While salary and basic benefits are great ways for aerospace professionals to offset the stresses of the job, there are a number of other perks that keep talented workers in the industry. Many aerospace companies provide consumer loans to the employees for the purchase of automobiles, condominiums, and other living necessities. Finally, commercial and civilian aerospace companies will often provide airline discounts for workers and immediate families.Finally, there are two mainstays of the aerospace industry which are crucial for professionals to stay at jobs over a long period of time. Most aerospace companies provide paid leave, typically four to six weeks annually, which is meant to give professionals time to unwind and leave the desks or work stations for a lit tle while. As well, a long term human resources investment for these companies comes with the pension program. Aerospace companies will often match a certain level of employee contributions in order to keep skilled workers from leaving for jobs with rival companies.Works Cited Page â€Å"Aerospace Engineering — Britannica Online Encyclopedia. † Encyclopedia – Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Ed. Kaydon A. Stanzione. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. . â€Å"Aeronautical Engineer: Educational Requirements. † Research Schools, Online Courses, Degrees and Careers at Education Portal. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. . â€Å"Engineer Salary – How Much Do Engineers